Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter received a meaningful welcome to the NFL from none other than Micah Parsons—and it’s the kind of encouragement worth embracing. Carter is expected to be one of the first names called out when Round 1 opens the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24. Parsons’ endorsement only increases the hype.
Cowboys Star Micah Parsons Welcomes Abdul Carter to the NFL Brotherhood
Parsons extended a virtual handshake to Carter — a potential Top 5 pick in this year’s draft — and welcomed the Penn State product into the elite pass rusher fraternity. Parsons’ message, shared via Instagram, signaled a passing of the torch of sorts, with both players having starred at Penn State and now sharing similar NFL projections.
Set to be one of the first names off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft, Carter is poised to enter the league in a stronger team situation than Parsons faced as a rookie.
During his impressive three-year career in Happy Valley, Carter posted 23 sacks, 172 total tackles (41 for loss), five forced fumbles, and 13 pass breakups. The 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Carter boasts the explosiveness and tenacity to deliver double-digit sacks annually at the next level.
It’s hard not to draw parallels between Carter and Parsons. Back in 2021, NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein described Parsons as a Day 1 starter with huge upside.
“His instincts and play recognition need to catch up with his physical gifts in order to play downhill and find the most efficient routes to the football,” Zierlein wrote. “His rush talent is a potential wild card in how teams decide to use him, but he’s likely to show rapid improvement and should be a Day 1 starter.”
Four years later, Zierlein offered a similarly glowing evaluation of Carter in his scouting report ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
“He’s good with his hands but needs to keep working in that area to prevent long punchers from knocking him off-course,” Zierlein wrote. “Carter’s explosiveness, hunger and body control should have him on track to become a highly productive 3-4 rush linebacker with Pro Bowl talent.”
While both players share a lightning-fast first step and relentless motor, the primary distinction lies in physical strength. Parsons entered the NFL with more raw power; Carter may need time in the weight room to match that level of physicality.
Best Team Fit: Browns or Giants?
Right now, the Cowboys feature just one elite edge threat—Parsons himself. In contrast, some of the teams positioned to draft Carter early, such as the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, offer much more favorable pass-rushing ecosystems.
If Cleveland selects Carter, he’ll join forces with Myles Garrett, arguably the best pure pass rusher in the NFL, fresh off his seventh consecutive double-digit sack season. With Garrett commanding double teams, Carter would benefit from more one-on-one matchups.
Over in New York, the Giants boast a near-elite pass rush unit. Brian Burns provides speed and length on one side, while interior anchor Dexter Lawrence—who led the team with nine sacks in 2024—collapses the pocket from the middle. Carter could be the missing piece to elevate that group into dominance.
